U-turn cop to stand trial

[Racing Dave]

From this morning's Chch Press: Tony Bridgman has retired from the Blenheim highway patrol, finishing on Dec 9.

Looks like the Buller Gorge will be slightly safer from now on...

No word on the date of his trial, however, at which point I trust all roads will become slightly safer, as I expect a conviction to result in loss of his license. Always assuming he is convicted.

[roy.nz]

The Blenheim policeman charged with dangerous driving after a crash in the Buller Gorge that left two motorcyclists seriously injured has been committed to stand trial.

Full story at: http://www.stuff.co.nz/4579369a12855.html

And i hope he gets done for more than careless driving

[Okey Dokey]

Thanks for the update, Racing Dave. I am intensely interested in this upcoming trial. I'm glad he is off the force.

[raftn]

Thanks for the update, Racing Dave. I am intensely interested in this upcoming trial. I'm glad he is off the force.

That makes two of us..........and probably every one else on here

[MD]

I just realised that there are two threads running on this crash. One in Biker news.

Trial is set for late March. Officer has retired. Doubt the PCA can say anything until after the court case.

[Max Preload]

The result.

[sunhuntin]

about fucking time. nice to see some decent sentencing for a change. wonder if he will ever pay off the reparation?

Officer who hit motorcyclists ordered to pay $60,000
2:16PM Tuesday May 26, 2009

A former police officer who did a u-turn in the road, hitting and seriously injuring two motorcyclists, was today ordered to pay each victim $30,000 in reparation.

Anthony Dale Bridgman, 58, was found guilty of two counts of dangerous driving in March.

Bridgman was a Blenheim-based highway patrol sergeant when he did a u-turn in the Upper Buller Gorge to pursue a speeding motorcyclist in December 2007.

But his action resulted in two motorcyclists colliding with his patrol car. Both suffered serious head injuries.

Bridgman later retired from the police force after 30 years service.

He was also sentenced today to 100 hours community service and disqualified from driving for 12 months.

- NZPA

[ynot slow]

My thoughts were,ok he perfed out of the force,and 30 yrs will be good payout.But realisticly he was stung pretty damn hard,cop or not.A few people who have killed have got less,remember asian guy in forecourt ran over toddler,amongst one I think of.

But he still looked like a smug,what did I do wrong sir,type of person.

[dpex]

The Blenheim policeman charged with dangerous driving after a crash in the Buller Gorge that left two motorcyclists seriously injured has been committed to stand trial.

Full story at: http://www.stuff.co.nz/4579369a12855.html

His trial has ended. He gets to pay $30,000 to each victim. He lost his licence for 12 months, therefore he lost his job.

He made a bad mistake and has paid, hugely.

So lets not have any more of this, 'The cops always look after their own,' crap.

Personally, I think the penalty is manifestly unjust, compared to what would be handed out to a non-cop for a similar action. But that's just my view.

And frankly, I am appalled at some of the vicious comments regarding this cop.

He made a bad mistake. But none of you ever have, eh? But he's a cop. The enemy. So burn the bastard!

Some of you are seriously sad children.

[scumdog]

. He lost his licence for 12 months, therefore he lost his job.

He made a bad mistake and has paid, hugely.

So lets not have any more of this, 'The cops always look after their own,' crap.

Personally, I think the penalty is manifestly unjust, compared to what would be handed out to a non-cop for a similar action. But that's just my view.

He had resigned even before the verdict was announced, he didn't 'lose' his job!!

And yes, I have seen cases where people have killed others while drunk-driving and still never been given that level of sentence.

[98tls]

This is well outta hand,as ive said before he made a mistake,past or present job description has nothing to do with it,years back an old bloke made a mistake turning into an orchard killing my 21 year old GN250 riding cousin,the penance for his mistake was way less than this guy received.....way less.Take all the emotive we are biker brothers bullshit out of it and i say its a done deal.No amount of money will heal truely heal the guys on bikes wounds as will no amount of anything restore the coppers life,by all accounts "not a bad bloke" from those i know who have lived in his patch.Its life bad shit happens...go figure.

[monkey99]

Good to see the law has held this officer (ex) accountable for his poor driving!

Its amazing how many times cops actually do pull real bad habits out of their hats to pursue individuals

Article

[Farab]

Well, refer to my thread this morning. A bike got pulled over for what, I can't figure out, at most (I'm speculating) it could have been for lane splitting in peak hour traffic.

Now if that were the actual case, please tell me who caused and were the biggest hazard on the road? The 200-odd kg bike splitting (speculating at the actual "offence") at peak hour traffic speeds, or does this award go to the cop, in his 2000kg car, who took off at lighting speed from the far left lane (from my point of view looked as if he used portion of the busway to gain on the bike, I could be mistaken) then weave across 3 lanes to persue the bike. The biker then has the shock of seeing the lit up cop car in his mirrors (so concentration distracted) then tries to get out of cops way (did not realise it was him the cop was after) , then has to weave across 3 lanes and a bus lane to pull over for the cop.

Then cop no doubt lecturing the rider on dangerous driving, etc. + fine & demerits. Un-f#$%*ing-believable

[monkey99]

Exactly

Sometimes a police officer has the wrong idea of how to keep people safe..

might be the culture or some part of the training.. but without knowing the infraction (in this case) the cop could of tried to spot the direction and ask another unit or even the camera kids (in auck central) to tag the rego and deal with this later.. like writing a letter to said individ to express concern about driving etc

I know any time i get a letter with Police marks it gives me the cold shivers..

Still this would take a major shift in thinking for the girls n boys n blue... maybe?

[Marmoot]

If by encouraging someone to kill a person you may be liable for accessory to murder, then the Highway Patrol office and Labour Party former transport minister should be partially held liable for the $60,000 fine for encouraging this sort of behavior that puts enforcement above common sense and safety.